Investigation urges families to share experiences of maternity services at East Kent Hospitals
Video report by ITV News Meridian's Sarah Saunders
An independent investigation into maternity services at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is urging families to come forward and share their experiences.
The investigation was set up to examine the standard of care provided by the maternity and neonatal service at the Trust since 2009.
The investigation is looking at the following:
Individual cases where there has been a preventable or avoidable death
A concern that the death may have been preventable or avoidable
A damaging outcome for the baby or mother
Or where there is reason to believe the circumstances shed light on how maternity services were provided or managed or how the Trust responded when things went wrong
How the Trust responded to signals that there were problems and sought to learn lessons
How the Trust engaged with regulators including the CQC, and actions and responses of regulators and commissioners
The parents of Harry Richford, who died just a week after being born at the QEQM Hospital in Margate in November 2017, have long called for a public inquiry.
The family were originally told the death was expected, but after their ongoing fight for answers, an inquest was granted.
The coroner ruled Harry's death was in fact "wholly avoidable".
Bosses at the NHS Trust said it was with "great sadness" that they accepted failing Harry and his family.
Dr Bill Kirkup says he will make arrangements for any families, wishing to share their experience with the investigation, who want to remain anonymous.
If you would like to contact the investigation, Dr Bill Kirkup's team are available by emailingcontact@iiekms.org.uk or by calling 01233 227709.